These stunning photographs show that great progress is being made to “Stop The Rot” in the two historic catacombs in Anfield Cemetery.

A near £300,000 project to prevent further decay of the Grade II-listed North and South catacombs is well underway and could be completed by the summer.

And the pictures here – taken by ECHO chief photographer Colin Lane and the self-styled “urban warrior” who only wants to be known as TOC66, show the catacombs before and after the consolidation and stabilisation works began. Meanwhile, some of TOC66’s photographs show the catacombs below ground level.

The “stunning” structures were built in 1863, and flanked by large Roman Catholic and Anglican chapels, but have been deteriorating for several decades and were in danger of being lost forever.

The restoration of the catacombs in Anfield Cemetery (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Anfield Cemetery is one of Liverpool City Council’s top heritage priorities, and has more than 20 buildings and structures of special interest. The bill for the first phase of catacombs repairs is £290,581, paid for with a Historic England grant of £235,561 and with the city council funding the rest.

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“Inspirational Anfield” – the Friends’ Social Enterprise Plan – states that the catacombs and the sites of lost chapels provide opportunities to “repurpose the cemetery gardens for future generations”, with possibilities for “onsite museums and galleries” which could link to other heritage attractions in Liverpool.

The restoration of the catacombs in Anfield Cemetery (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Graham Marshall, a Friends of Anfield trustee, says: “These catacombs are very special but have been unappreciated for what they are. They are a really significant part of the cemetery’s Victorian heritage. But they need a use.

“We would eventually want to see them become part of the community and have a sustainable life.

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The restoration of the catacombs in Anfield Cemetery (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Architect Adrian Pearson, a director of Lloyd Evans Prichard Architects, says: “They are stunning pieces of architecture and there is some magnificent, beautifully-carved stonework. But the roofs came off in the ‘90s and we have been removing vegetation that was growing out of buttresses and ripping the buildings apart.

“This part of the project – the consolidation work – should be completed by the end of June. We want to get to a position where the catacombs don’t need to have fences around them, and we can restore the gates in a robust fashion.

“And I’d like to think, if there is an appetite for it, that further phases of work could be carried out – to put roofs back on the structures.”